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City of Irving Real Estate Services Chief Development Officer Doug Janeway (center) discusses the city's plans for the Heritage District redevelopment to residents during a public workshop at City Hall in Irving on Feb. 5.

DMN reporter Avi Selk writes about the latest plans to finally kick off development in Irving’s Heritage District in today’s paper. He stopped by the all-day workshop Tuesday at City Hall where residents were able to learn more about these plans and ask questions.

The new player in the project is consulting firm Gateway Planning. Selk writes that three months ago, the city spent about $50,000 to hire Gateway Planning to devise a way to sell off the property and jumpstart development without alienating residents. Gateway’s president, Scott Polikov, makes a point of contrasting his approach with Delbert McDougal, whose projects never got off the ground.

Scott Polikov talks about Heritage Crossing at a meeting at Glory House.

So what exactly is happening in Heritage Crossing?

More than 100 residents came to find out Tuesday evening at a meeting held in the heart of Heritage Crossing at Glory House on Main Street. Kevin Kass, Irving’s Redevelopment and TIF Administrator, introduced Scott Polikov of Gateway Planning who provided some answers. Irving recently hired his company.

Polikov presented a slide show about his company that showed how they’ve transformed downtown areas in McKinney, Duncanville and Roanoke. He talked about how Gateway Planning provides economic development and design services that incorporate a downtown area’s character and history.

That pleased some residents who are concerned about preserving history. Jo Ann Goin, owner of Glory House, commented that “the voice of nostalgia is very powerful here.” Yet Polikov said using nostalgia to stop innovation could create problems. He added his company hopes to provide a manual for a workable urban area, “a base of information,” for development.

“We are implementers,” he said. “We want to take the lid off of what’s already happened and give it some legs.”

Another public workshop is set for 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 5 at City Hall. Plans are scheduled to be completed and presented to the city from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 28.

When questioned about how so much could be done in so short a time, Polikov said because so much planning has already taken place, his work wouldn’t take that long.

“The engagement of our firm means they are serious,” Polikov said.

Kass told residents that more information, including Polikov’s slide show, will soon be posted on the city’s website